Mount for supporting a camera and a mirrored optic

ABSTRACT

A mount for supporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis includes a plate configured for attachment to the camera. The first optical axis passes through the plate. A platform through which light may pass has first and second sides, the second side being opposite the first side. The first side of the platform is spaced from the plate and positioned such that the first optical axis passes therethrough. A support rod has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The first end is attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the second end of the support rod such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/346,331, filed on Jan. 7, 2002, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to a device supporting an objectto be photographed, and more specifically to a device which supports andproperly orients an object relative to a camera taking the photograph.In many situations, it is desired to have a panoramic photograph of anobject, room or scene. Such a panoramic image might be utilized in acomputer screen or internet website display to provide as full anddetailed a picture as possible. Thus, the device and/or method ofcapturing the panoramic image for use and application to a variety ofsettings (such as a computer) is critical. One such way of capturingsuch a panoramic image is to take a photograph of an inverted opticalmirror. For example, such a mirror may be mounted on a ceiling with theoptical portion, or reflective surface facing downward such that aperson standing directly under the mirror looking upward at it wouldhave a 360° distorted view of the entire room reflected in the mirror.By taking a picture of the image as seen in the optical mirror, the 360°image of the room can be captured. Through software the distortion canbe removed from the 360° image and the image of the room seen in themirror can be converted into a single, panoramic picture for use with acomputer. Such a mirror, having a generally parabolic shape, has beenbuilt by Eyesee360.com of 50 Standish Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pa.,hereinafter referred to as a mirrored optic. A mirrored optic 60 isshown in FIG. 1. The mirrored optic 60 has been designed to capture acertain image of its surroundings and is described by a specificmathematical equation to resemble a parabola, although not a trueparabola. The mirrored optic 60 make take on other shapes (i.e.,described in different mathematical manners) to achieve differentdesired views or images, and be processed using correspondinglydifferent software.

[0003] One problem, however, is how to mount, hold, and/or orient suchan optic in relation to the camera taking the picture of the image seenin the reflective surface. The supporting structure must be such thatlittle or no portion of the supporting structure is seen in the pictureof the image in the mirror. Portions of the supporting structure (or anyother obstruction) visible in the picture are undesirable since theimaging software which converts the captured image into a horizontal,panoramic display, will be unable to remove such errors. That is, thesoftware is capable of removing distortions resulting from the curvatureof the reflective surface of the mirrored optic, but cannot removeobjects which form part of the picture itself. Thus, it is the goal ofthis invention to design and construct a mounting device for a mirroredoptic such that the final viewable image of the mirrored optic isminimally affected by the mounting device itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Briefly stated, the present invention is a mount for supporting acamera having a lens with a first optical axis. The mount includes aplate configured for attachment to the camera, such that the firstoptical axis passes through the plate. A platform through which lightmay pass has first and second sides, with the second side opposite thefirst side. The first side of the platform is spaced from the plate andpositioned such that the first optical axis passes through the platform.A support rod has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. Thefirst end is attached to the second side of the platform such that thelongitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optichaving a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to thesecond end of the support rod, such that the reflective surface facesthe lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first opticalaxis.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention is a mount forsupporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis. The mountincludes a platform through which light may pass. The platform has firstand second sides, with the second side opposite the first side. Thefirst side of the platform is spaced from the camera and positioned suchthat the first optical axis passes through the platform. A support rodhas first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The first end isattached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinalaxis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optic have areflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the secondend of the support rod, such that the reflective surface faces the lensand the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention is a mount forsupporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis. The mountincludes a lower bracket configured for attachment to the camera, suchthat the first optical axis passes through the lower bracket. An upperbracket is spaced from the lower bracket and positioned such that thefirst optical axis passes through the upper bracket. The upper brackethas a bottom side. An optic having a reflective surface and a secondoptical axis is attached to the bottom side of the upper bracket, suchthat the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axisis aligned with the first optical axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawingsembodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

[0008] In the drawings:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mount for a camera according afirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side view of the mount shown in FIG.1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical support in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a bottom view photograph of the mirrored optic mountedto the optical support shown in FIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical support in accordancewith a third embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 6 is a bottom view photograph of the mirrored optic mountedto the optical support shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Certain terminology is used in the following description forconvenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference ismade. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions towardsand away from, respectively, the geometric center of the mount anddesignated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words abovespecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

[0016] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numeralsindicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-2 apreferred embodiment of a support mount, generally designated 10, inaccordance with the present invention. The mount 10 is for supporting acamera 50 having a lens 52 and a lens housing 54. A first optical axis56 passes through the center of the lens 52. Cameras and their lensesare well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and,therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted for purposes ofconvenience only and is not limiting.

[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mount 10 includes anadjustable support 12. The adjustable support 12 preferably includes abase portion, or foot 14 for resting on a horizontal surface (notshown). The foot 14 includes apertures 14 a for receiving one or morefasteners (not shown) to firmly secure the foot 14 to the horizontalsurface thereby preventing the mount 10 from falling on its side. Asupport leg 16 extends generally vertically upward from one end of thefoot 14. The support leg 16 extends through a bracket 18 which isslidable up and down the length of the support leg 16. The bracket 18includes one or more fasteners, preferably screws 17, such that thebracket 18 may be secured in a desired vertical position along thesupport leg 16 by friction. The fastener alternatively may be, forexample, a clip, clamp or any other fastening device generally known toone of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. The camera 50 is releasably attached tothe bracket 18 in a manner generally known to those skilled in the art,such as with a thumb screw (not shown) extending through one of theslots 18 a on the bracket 18, such that the camera 50 may be positionedin a desired vertical position along the support leg 16. Those skilledin the art will recognize that the bracket 18 may also be constructed sothat the camera 50, once mounted to the bracket 18, is rotatable withrespect to the bracket 18, or so that the bracket 18 is rotatable aboutthe support leg 16 (not shown). The bracket 18 could also be permanentlysecured in a single position on the support leg 16 (not shown).

[0018] An upper support ring 20 extends generally horizontally from thetop of the support leg 16 in a cantilever fashion. The support ring 20is preferably generally oval in shape, such that an optical support 24(discussed in greater detail below) is supported by the support ring 20and is slidable along the length of the support ring 20. The supportring 20 includes a plurality of lightening holes 25 spaced equidistantlyaround the perimeter of the support ring 20 to reduce the weight of thesupport ring 20 on the adjustable support 12.

[0019] The adjustable support 12 and the parts thereof (i.e., the foot14, the support leg 16, the bracket 18 and the support ring 20) are madeof any material generally known in the art, such as aluminum, so thatthe adjustable support 12 is capable of supporting the weight of thecamera 50 and the optical support 24.

[0020] Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the optical support 24 includes amounting plate 26. The mounting plate 26 includes an aperture 28 havinga diameter large enough such that the lens 52 is able to see through theplate 26 when the aperture 28 is at least partially aligned with thefirst optical axis 56. When the aperture 28 is centered about the firstoptical axis 56 of the lens 52, the full portion of the lens 52 ispreferably able to see through the plate 26. The mounting plate 26 isconfigured to slidably fit onto the support ring 20 of the adjustablesupport 12. The plate 26 may be secured to the support ring 20 in adesired horizontal position using the attachment nut 30. The attachmentnut 30 is threaded and screws into the threaded inner portion (notshown) of the plate 26, such that the support ring 20 is squeezedbetween the attachment nut 30 and the plate 26 to prevent the plate 26from sliding along the support ring 20. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the plate 26 may be fastened to the support ring 20 byother means generally known in the art.

[0021] The optical support 24 further includes a disk-shaped platform32. The platform 32 is spaced from the mounting plate 26 such that thefirst optical axis 56 passes through the platform 32. The platform 32includes first and second sides 34, 36, respectively, the second side 36being opposite the first side 34. The platform 32 is supported from thefirst side 34 by one or more equidistantly spaced support posts 38extending upwardly from the mounting plate 26. The support posts 38 areall of generally equal length, such that the platform 32 is level whenmounted to the support posts 38. The support posts 38 are made ofplastic, but may be made of aluminum or any other suitable material. Theplatform 32 is attached to the support posts 38 by means of a screw 39placed in each support post 38 from the second side 36 of the platform32, or by any other means to similarly secure the platform 32 to thesupport posts 38. The support posts 38 are similarly attached to themounting plate 26 using screws 38 a. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the platform 32 may be supported by an infinite number ofsupport posts 38 or, for example, a cylindrical tube attached to themounting plate 26, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the platform 32 and the mountingplate 26 are circular in shape having approximately the same diameters.However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the platform 32may be any shape and/or size so long as it is able to be supported bythe mounting plate 26. The platform 32 is preferably comprised ofoptically clear material (such as optical grade polycarbonate), but mayalso be comprised of glass, plastic or any other material through whichlight may pass. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the moretransparent the platform 32, the less distorted that an image seen bythe lens 52 will be when taking a picture through the platform 32. Theplatform 32 may be of any thickness so long as the platform can supportthe weight of the structure mounted to it. The platform 32 is preferablya set distance, X, away from the mounting plate 26 (see FIG. 1).

[0023] The optical support 24 further includes a support rod 40 havingfirst and second ends 42, 44, respectively, extending upwardly from thesecond side 36 of the platform 32. The support rod 40 has a longitudinalaxis 46. As shown in FIG. 1, the first end 42 of the support rod 40attaches to the second side 36 of the platform 32, preferably with ascrew 40 a inserted into the support rod 40 from the first side 34, suchthat the longitudinal axis 46 and the first optical axis 56 aregenerally aligned. The support rod 40 is made of aluminum, but may bemade of plastic or any other suitable material.

[0024] The optical support 24 supports the mirrored optic 60 at itsdistal end. The mirrored optic 60 includes a reflective surface 62 and asecond optical axis 64. The mirrored optic 60 is preferably generallyparabolic in shape to capture the desired 360° image. However, othershapes could be used, depending on the desired image to be photographedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The mirrored optic 60 is attached to the second end 44 of the supportrod 40, such that the reflective surface 62 faces the lens 52 of thecamera 50. The second end 44 of the support rod 40 attaches to themirrored optic 60 at the apex of the parabolic shape. The reflectivesurface 62 of the mirrored optic 60 has a hole at its apex, throughwhich the second end 44 of the support rod 40 passes. The second end 44is threaded and extends through an aperture at the apex of the mirroredoptic 60. The second end 44 is removeably attached to the interiorsurface 63 of the mirrored optic 60 by a nut 67 (see FIG. 2) to securethe support rod 40 to the mirrored optic 60. The support rod 40 may alsobe attached to the mirrored optic 60 by other means such as a clip orsnap fitting. In the preferred embodiment the mirrored optic 60 rests ona shoulder 68 formed on the second end 44 of the support rod 40. Absenceof the shoulder 68 on the support rod 40 does not preclude attachment tothe mirrored optic 60. The support rod 40 is situated such that the apexof the mirrored optic 60 is supported at a distance, H, away from theplatform 32 and a desired distance, D, away from the mounting plate 26.

[0025] The second optical axis 64 of the mirrored optic 60 is alignedwith the longitudinal axis 46 of the support rod 40, thereby aligningthe second optical axis 64 of the mirrored optic 60 with the firstoptical axis 56 of the lens 52. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the support rod40 is positioned and dimensioned such that, when the camera 50 isattached to the mount 10 and the lens 52 is looking through the mountingplate 26 and the platform 32, the lens 52 is able to see a majority ofthe reflective surface 62 of the mirrored optic 60. That is, the largera cross section that the support rod 40 has, the greater the portion ofthe view that the lens 52 sees will be obscured by the support rod 40 inthe picture, thereby restricting the amount of the image reflected inthe mirrored optic 60 that is photographed. Thus, it is preferred thatthe cross section of the support rod 40 be minimized to permit themaximum view of the mirrored optic 60.

[0026] In operation, the optical support 24 preferably sits on thesupport ring 20 and is moved to the desired horizontal position, suchthat the second optical axis 64 aligns with the first optical axis 56 ofthe lens 52. The mounting plate 26 is then secured to the support ring20 using the attachment nut 30. The camera 50 is then vertically andhorizontally adjusted along the support leg 16 using the bracket 18 andsecured in the desired position. Use of the adjustable support 12 thusallows for cameras of different shapes and sizes to be used with theoptical support 24, while still ensuring that the first and secondoptical axes 56, 64 will be aligned for proper photographing of thereflective surface 62 of the mirrored optic 60. The mirrored optic 60 isthus easily aligned with the lens 52 of the camera 50, oriented in theproper direction and set at a known distance D away from the mountingplate 26.

[0027] Still referring to FIG. 1, the total distance Y from the lens 52to the apex of the mirrored optic 60 depends on several factors,including the type of camera 50, the camera lens 52 and the exactmathematical description of the mirrored optic 60. Thus, the distance Yis different for a different camera lens 52 or mirrored optic 60. Oneadvantage of using the optical support 24 is that the distance D ispre-set, thereby allowing the distance Y to be set simply by adjustingthe vertical height of the camera 50 on the adjustable support 12. For agiven distance D, however, it theoretically does not matter how thatdistance is distributed between H (the distance from the top of theplatform 32 to the apex of the mirrored optic 60) and X (the distancefrom the top of the platform 32 to the mounting plate 26), since thecamera 50 itself can be moved vertically on the adjustable support 12 toachieve the appropriate distance from the reflective surface 62 for anaccurate photograph of the image seen in the reflective surface 62. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the support posts 38 and the support rod 40have lengths such that X is approximately twice as large as H. Thisratio of X to H has the advantage of minimizing the visible obstructionof the support rod 40, while providing sufficient structural support forthe mirrored optic 60. Those skilled in the art will recognize that thedistance X could be significantly greater than twice H. This ratio hasthe advantage of moving the support rod 40 farther away from the cameralens 52 (for the same distance Y), thereby making the visibleobstruction of the support rod 40 in the picture smaller. However, alarger value of X also means that the total mass of the optical support24 will change (because of the different size of the supporting members)and that a majority of that total mass will be further away from theplate 26, thereby requiring stronger supporting materials. The converseis true if the distance H is made significantly larger than or equal toX. Thus, the distance D may be distributed depending on the desiredeffects of the total mass of the optical support 24, the proportion ofthat mass farthest away from the camera 50 and the acceptable visiblesize of the support rod 40 in the picture.

[0028]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a mount 110 according to thepresent invention. The second embodiment is very similar to the firstembodiment. Only the differences between the first and secondembodiments are described below for convenience only. Elements which aresubstantially similar have been previously described with respect toFIGS. 1-2 are labeled with the same reference numerals used indescribing the mount 110. The mount 110 includes an optical support 124,which is generally the same as the optical support 24 used with themount 10. The mounting plate 126 of the optical support 124 isconfigured for direct attachment to the camera 150. In such aconfiguration, the aperture 128 of the plate 126 is preferably largeenough to fit over the upward pointing lens housing (not shown) of thecamera 150. The mounting plate 126 is preferably attached to the camera150 by means of a lens attachment nut 130 which screws onto the lenshousing of the camera 150 over the top of the mounting plate 126. Thecamera 150 is one which has an upward pointing lens, but requiring,however, no other special features or functions. Alternatively, theoptical support 124 could be constructed as part of the camera 150itself, and not as a separate attachment, without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the camera 150may itself be attached to a tripod 151 or other camera support devicegenerally known in the art.

[0029] When configured as shown in FIG. 3, the platform 32 is a setdistance X from the mounting plate 126, and is therefore also thedistance X away from the lens (not shown) of the camera 150.Accordingly, the mirrored optic 60 is automatically aligned with thelens of the camera 150 and set at a known distance D away from the lens.In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the total distance Y is equal to thedistance D. Thus, similar dimensional considerations apply to theoptical support 124 as discussed with respect to the first embodiment ofFIGS. 1-2.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a sample photograph of a picture taken by the camera 150of an image displayed on the mirrored optic 60 using the optical support24. In the upper left and right hand corners of FIG. 4 the support posts38 are seen. In the center of FIG. 4 is the mirrored optic 60 with thedistorted image seen in the reflective surface 62. In the direct centerof the mirrored optic 60, the support rod 40 is visible. The support rod40 is visible because the camera 150 views the mirrored optic 60 throughthe platform 32 directly upward, including the support rod 40. The factthat the support rod 40 is visible is of minor concern since the imageof the mirrored optic 60 will be used to form a flat panoramic imageafter the distortion is removed. No other portion of the optical support24 interferes with the image of the mirrored optic 60 in FIG. 4. Thephotograph shown in FIG. 4 is similar to an image that is seen whenusing the mount 10 with the optical support 24 discussed with respect toFIGS. 1-2.

[0031] One problem with the style of optical supports 24, 124 shown inFIGS. 1-3 is that the camera lens 52 (and hence the picture taken by thecamera 50, 150) looks through the platform 32 to view the mirrored optic60. Thus, in addition to the presence of the support rod 40, theplatform 32 itself adds a potential source of interference or distortionwhen taking the picture, depending on the clarity of the material used.

[0032] There is shown in FIG. 5 a third embodiment of a mount 210according to the present invention. The mount 210 includes an opticalsupport 224 which can be used with an adjustable support 12 similar tothat shown in FIG. 1, or by direct attachment to a camera and/or othercamera support device similar to that shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.Therefore, FIG. 5 only shows the optical support 224 which is used withthe mount 210. Elements which are similar to and have been previouslydescribed with respect to those elements in FIGS. 1-4 are labeled withthe same reference numerals in describing the mount 210.

[0033] The optical support 224 of the mount 210 includes a lower annularbracket 227 configured for mounting to the camera 50 using the supportring 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the optical mount 224 may beattached to the camera 150 by mounting the lower bracket 227 to themounting plate 126 (which is attached to the camera 150 using theattachment nut 130) using the screw holes 229 or may be directlyattached to the camera 150 by any other means generally known in theart. The lower bracket 227 is attached such that the first optical axis56 of the camera lens (not shown) passes through the lower bracket 227.

[0034] An upper annular bracket 232 is spaced from the lower bracket 227and positioned such that the first optical axis 56 passes through theupper bracket 232. The upper bracket 232 includes a bottom side 234 andis supported from the bottom side 234 by one or more support legs 238extending from the lower bracket 238. A generally hat-shaped insert 270resides within the upper bracket 232. The brim 272 of the insert 270contacts the top of the upper bracket 232 and is secured to the upperbracket 232 by screws (not shown) inserted through the brim 272 and theupper bracket 232 and fastened to the bottom side 234 using the nuts274. The dome 276 of the insert 270 descends downwardly through theopening in the upper bracket 232, and is configured such that themirrored optic 60 is attached thereto. The base 66 of the mirrored optic60 is attached to the dome 276 using screws (not shown), glue or anyother means generally known in the art, such that the reflective surface62 of the mirrored optic 60 faces the camera lens and the second opticalaxis 64 aligns with the first optical axis 56. The support legs 238 areshaped and positioned such that the camera lens sees a majority of thereflective surface 62 of the mirrored optic 60 when the camera 50, 150is attached to the lower bracket 227. The legs 238 are configured suchthat, when the mirrored optic 60 is attached to the dome 276, the apexof the mirrored optic 60 is generally even with the elbow 239 in eachleg 238. The optical support 224 may be made of aluminum, a strongplastic or any other similar material capable of bearing the necessaryweight of the mirrored optic 60.

[0035] The operation of the mount 210 is similar to that of the mount10, 110 of FIGS. 1-3, in that the optical support 224 may be used withthe adjustable support 12, the mounting plate 126 or alone for directmounting on a camera. The mirrored optic 60 is also substantiallysimilar to that described above and used with the optical support 24,124, and may also be customized depending on the desired photographicresults. Similar advantages and disadvantages also apply as discussedabove with respect to the first and second embodiments of FIGS. 1-3. Amajor difference in the mount 210 is that use of the optical support 224does not require the camera 50, 150 to take the picture of the mirroredoptic 60 through any additional material, such as the platform 32 of thefirst and second embodiments of FIGS. 1-3. However, as seen in FIG. 6(which shows a sample photograph of a picture taken by the camera 150 ofan image displayed on the mirrored optic 60 using the optical support224), one trade-off to using the mount 210 is that the support legs 238are seen in the picture of the mirrored optic 60. All three support legs238 are visible, which may be undesirable since the software will beunable to remove the distortions and errors caused by the visibility ofthe support legs 238 in the photograph.

[0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changescould be made to the embodiments described above without departing fromthe broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, thatthis invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed,but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

I claim:
 1. A mount for supporting a camera having a lens, the lenshaving a first optical axis, the mount comprising: a plate configuredfor attachment to the camera such that the first optical axis passesthrough the plate; a platform through which light may pass, the platformhaving first and second sides, the second side being opposite the firstside, the first side of the platform being spaced from the plate andpositioned such that the first optical axis passes therethrough; asupport rod having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, thefirst end being attached to the second side of the platform such thatthe longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned; andan optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis, theoptic being attached to the second end of the support rod such that thereflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is alignedwith the first optical axis.
 2. The mount of claim 1 wherein theplatform is optically clear.
 3. The mount of claim 1 further includingat least one support post extending between the plate and the first sideof the platform to support the platform with respect to the plate. 4.The mount of claim 1 wherein the support rod is dimensioned to allow thelens to see at least a majority of the reflective surface when a camerais attached to the plate.
 5. The mount of claim 1 wherein the plate isattached to the camera using an attachment nut.
 6. The mount of claim 1wherein the second end of the support rod passes through the reflectivesurface of the optic and attaches to an inner surface of the optic. 7.The mount of claim 1 wherein the optic is generally parabolic in shape.8. The mount of claim 1 wherein the plate is adjustably mounted to thecamera to permit the plate to move with respect to the camera with atleast two degrees of freedom.
 9. A mount for supporting a camera havinga lens, the lens having a first optical axis, the mount comprising: aplatform through which light may pass, the platform having first andsecond sides, the second side being opposite the first side, the firstside of the platform being spaced from the camera such that the firstoptical axis passes therethrough; a support rod having first and secondends and a longitudinal axis, the first end being attached to the secondside of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first opticalaxis are generally aligned; and an optic have a reflective surface and asecond optical axis, the optic being attached to the second end of thesupport rod such that the reflective surface faces the lens and thesecond optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.
 10. Themount of claim 9 wherein the platform is optically clear.
 11. The mountof claim 9 wherein the support rod is dimensioned to allow the lens tosee at least a majority of the reflective surface when a camera isattached to the platform.
 12. The mount of claim 9 wherein the optic isgenerally parabolic in shape.
 13. A mount for supporting a camera havinga lens, the optic having a first optical axis, the mount comprising: alower bracket configured for attachment to the camera, such that thefirst optical axis passes through the lower bracket; an upper bracketspaced from the lower bracket and positioned such that the first opticalaxis passes therethrough, the upper bracket having a bottom side; and anoptic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis, the opticbeing attached to the bottom side of the upper bracket, such that thereflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is alignedwith the first optical axis.
 14. The mount of claim 13 further includingat least one support leg extending between the lower bracket and theupper bracket to support the upper bracket with respect to the lowerbracket.
 15. The mount of claim 13 wherein the lower bracket is attachedto the camera using screws.
 16. The mount of claim 13 wherein a baseportion of the optic attaches to the bottom side of the upper bracket.17. The mount of claim 13 wherein the optic is generally parabolic inshape.
 18. The mount of claim 13 wherein the lower bracket is adjustablymounted to the camera to permit the plate to move with respect to thecamera with at least two degrees of freedom.
 19. The mount of claim 13wherein the at least one support leg is dimensioned to allow the lens tosee at least a majority of the reflective surface when a camera isattached to the lower bracket.